VANCOUVER, BC, May 6, 2021 /CNW/ -- Nickel Rock
Resources Inc. ("the Company") (TSX-V: NICL), (OTCQB:
NICKLF) is pleased to announce the analytical results of an
initial exploratory drilling program on their Clayton Valley
Lithium Project, Esmeralda County,
Nevada, USA. This strategic land package, covering
approximately 2,300 acres (930 ha), directly adjoins a western
portion of lithium producer Albemarle's (NYSE: ALB) evaporation
ponds and is nearby Cyprus Development Corp.'s (TSXV: CYP)
5,430-acre Clayton Valley Lithium Clay Project.
The exploration program consisted of three reverse circulation
holes totaling 356 metres (1155 feet). The holes were
intended to test the presence of lithium bearing clay members of
the lakebed sediments.
Drillhole RCV-01, drilled to a depth of 130 metres (425 feet),
designed to twin a geothermal gradient hole drilled by a previous
explorer. Results of this hole correlated with the log of the
previous hole including intervals of volcanic ash and dark green
clay. The hole ended in alluvial gravel made up of metamorphic
rocks shed from the Silver Peak Range. The hole did not reach
the planned depth of 183 metres due to poor ground conditions but
did assess the lake sediment target section. Assay results
from this hole showed mixed results with only the top 6 meters (20
feet) of the hole returning more than 75 ppm Li. The average
grade of the interval 0-6.1 metres was 309 ppm Li. Two water
samples were collected from the borehole at 99 meters (325 feet)
and 129 metres (425 feet) ran 31.4 and 41.0 mg/L Li,
respectively.
Hole RCV-02 was drilled about 1260 meters north of RCV-01.
RCV-02 was drilled to a depth of 136 metres (445 ft) and
penetrated a section consisting primarily of rhyolitic volcanic ash
and interbedded sediments. RCV-02 penetrated a 4.5 metre
section of dark green clay from 105.1 to 109.7 metres (345-360 ft)
before entering the metamorphic alluvium. Poor drilling
conditions and high-water flows ended the hole before reaching the
target depth but after successfully evaluating the lake sediment
section.
Analytical results from this hole fared better than the RCV-01
with the interval 0 - 36.6 metres (0-120 feet) averaging 196 ppm
Li. Within this interval, and from 18.3 to 25.9 metres (60 -
85 feet) an elevated Li zone was intersected averaging 279 ppm Li
with the single best interval in this hole being 332 ppm between
18.3 and 19.8 m (60 - 65 feet).
Water samples at 74.6 metres (245 feet), 105.1 metres (345 feet),
and 137 metres (450 feet) ran 20.5, 21.0, and 32.8 mg/L Li,
respectively.
Hole RCV-03 was designed to look for a perched section of
volcanoclastic sediments beneath an alluvial fan. Previous
water well logs indicated a layer of clay, ash, and silt beneath
the alluvium and above the bedrock. While drilling, this hole
encountered metamorphosed dolomite at a depth of 56 metres (185
feet) about the projected elevation of the sedimentary
section. The hole lost circulation in an apparent karst
horizon at 65.5 metres (215 feet) and was terminated at 79.2 metres
(260 ft) without regaining sample return. Since the target
sediments were not encountered, this hole was not assayed.
Drill chip samples were partially dried at the drill sites for
two days in the case of RCV-01 and overnight in the case of RCV-02
before being picked up by a driver for Paragon Geochemical.
The samples were transported to the Paragon laboratory on
April 2 where they were dried,
crushed, and pulverized. Analysis was by ICP- Mass
Spectrometry following an aqua regia leach using a 0.5 gram sample
aliquot.
Envelopes of standard material obtained from Minerals
Exploration Geochemistry of Lamoille,
Nevada were inserted into the sample stream at roughly 30.5
metres (100 foot) intervals. The eight standard samples
returned lithium values ranging from 482 to 599 ppm Li with an
average of 557 ppm Li. The analytical variability of about
20% is a bit high and is possible the small aliquot size and aqua
regia leach may have played a role in this. However, the
values are acceptable for an early stage program. Other
elements showed a similar range of values while others were within
much tighter limits.
Water samples were collected by the project geologist and
delivered to the ALS Global sample preparation lab in Elko, Nevada April 5. Samples were
filtered and analyzed by a combination of ICP-MS and ICP-OES
methods by ALS Global. Standards were not inserted into the
sample stream. A sample of drill make up water taken from the
Silver Peak municipal well was used as a background sample; it ran
70 micro grams per liter (70 parts per billion).
Mr. Ali Alizadeh Company Director and a senior geologist with
extensive experience in mineral exploration and project management
comments "The Clayton Valley area is booming again for lithium clay
exploration. With our current exploration program completed,
we will be able to lay the groundwork for a more significant
exploration program budget and program in the future. We are
excited about this opportunity in Nevada for our lithium clay project and this
reverse circulation drilling program has been helpful in
identifying important geological information on the sedimentary
layers. This will assist us in planning future exploration on
our strategically located project next to Albemarle, Pure Energy
and near Cypress Minerals in Clayton Valley".
Qualified person
The drilling was conducted under the supervision of Alan Morris, CPG, who serves as the project
geologist and Qualified Person for this project and news release as
defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Morris has
approved the technical information contained within this news
release.
About Nickel Rock Resources Inc.
The Company is a Canadian-based mineral exploration company
active in the exploration for nickel-iron alloy in British Columbia and lithium in
Nevada. Nickel Rock Resources Inc. is a Canadian based
exploration company whose primary listing is on the TSX Venture
Exchange. The Company's maintains a focus on exploration for
high value battery metals required for the electric vehicle (EV)
market. (http://www.nickelrockresources.com/)
About Clayton Valley Lithium Project
Clayton Valley is a down-dropped
closed basin formed by the Miocene age Great Basin extension and is
still active due to movement along the Walker Lane structural
zone. As a result, the basin has preserved multiple layers of
lithium bearing volcanic ash, resulting from multiple eruptive
events over the past 6 million years including eruptions from the
700,000-year-old Long Valley Caldera
system and related events. These ash layers are thought to
contribute to the lithium brines extracted by Albemarle and are
also likely involved in the formation of the exposed lithium rich
clay deposits on the east side of Clayton Valley.
https://nickelrockresources.com/clayton-valley-lithium/
About the British Columbia, Canada Nickel Projects
The Mount Sidney Williams Group consists of five claim blocks in
four groups with a total area of 6,125.32 hectares in the area
surrounding Mount Sidney Williams, both adjoining and near the
Decar project of FPX Nickel Corp., located 100 kilometres northwest
of Fort St. James, B.C., in the
Omineca mining division. Metallic mineralization includes nickel,
cobalt, and chromium. At least some of the nickel mineralization
occurs as awaruite. The Mitchell Range Group area claim
consist of two contiguous claim blocks covering 3,134.70 hectares
with demonstrated metallic mineralization including nickel, cobalt,
and chromium. Nickel cobalt mineralization has not been well
explored, but the presence of awaruite has been
documented.
On Behalf of the Board of Directors
"Robert Setter"
Robert Setter, President &
CEO
604- 428-5690
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services
Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX
Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or
accuracy of this release. This news release may contain
forward-looking statements which include, but are not limited to,
comments that involve future events and conditions, which are
subject to various risks and uncertainties. Except for statements
of historical facts, comments that address resource potential,
upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt and
security of mineral property titles, availability of funds, and
others are forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are not
guarantees of future performance and actual results may vary
materially from those statements. General business conditions are
factors that could cause actual results to vary materially from
forward-looking statements.
Nickel Rock Resources Inc.
1220 – 789 West Pender Street
Vancouver, BC, Canada V6C 1H2
604- 428-5690
www.nickelrockresources.com
info@nickelrockresources.com
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SOURCE Nickel Rock Resources Inc.
